WILL STUDD BECOMES FIRST AUSTRALIAN TO BE AWARDED
DISTINGUISHED TITLE OF L’ORDRE DU MÉRITE AGRICOLE
MELBOURNE, 20 OCTOBER 2009 – Master of Cheese, Will Studd, has been awarded the distinguished rank of Officier of the L’Ordre du Mérite Agricole by the French government in recognition for his services and support of traditional ‘lait cru’ cheese . The order is one of the oldest in France and the rank of ‘officier ‘has been awarded to just 5,000 individuals since its inception in 1883. Will is the only Australian to be decorated with the rank of ‘officier ‘.
“France was the first country in Europe to recognize that many wonderful traditional cheeses made from raw milk were under threat, and encouraged regulations to ensure their future was protected. In contrast Australian food authorities have banned the local production and sale of most raw milk cheeses since 1996. Australians consumers are denied a choice, and the law ensures local cheese makers can never develop a credible cheese tradition. This is unjust and I am very honoured that the French government have endorsed the campaign for change . “
Will Studd is the author of two award winning cheese books – Chalk and Cheese, published in 1999, and Cheese Slices, published in 2008. He has also travelled extensively in search of some of the world’s finest artisan and traditional cheeses for his TV series Cheese Slices.
Cheese Slices is now already in more than 20 countries around the world and series #5 is currently in production.
For more information on Will Studd, Cheese Slices and the Cheese Slices DVD’s, visit www.cheeseslices.com.
To arrange a media interview with Will Studd, please contact Caryn Ng on 03 9836 2167 ext.6 / 0488 664 857 or send us an email through our contact form.
